Grymp's Way of the Wicked Campaign (Inactive)

Game Master Zahir ibn Mahmoud ibn Jothan

Once in Taciturn's chamber a Mitran guard named Gart slashes his huge blade at the man. Then he informs the magistrate "You are under arrest for meddling with dark magic! The Bishop Donnagin and his priests have divined this chamber and you as a source of danger and wish an end to it! Put down that doll* and step away from the desk."

*Doll/gem/talisman/ancient ivory box containing secrets and souls from the last age or whatever it is he is studying.

Sneak attack first, throw accusations later. >:)
I'm not feeling entirely suicidal, but it looks like only 2.5 of us are left and I would rather have closure than just petering out. If anyone else is with me cool. If enough are with me and we should take some other course of action, please just post :)

Very well, so Gertrart and Mordecai go to Tacitus (anyone else?) in an attempt to arrest/kill him.

So Gertrart, give me your sneak attack rolls.

Mordecai, what’s your opening gambit for the surprise round for this?

If anyone else came along, then let’s roll up your sneak attacks.

I think we still have players here, but as some have pointed out, this may not be the easiest part of a module to run via PBP. Still, once we get to combat, things get more linear.

I hope others are around, I am enjoying the campaign. This doesn't give e folks 24 hours to post a response, but here goes. :)

1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17,2d4 + 5 ⇒ (3, 1) + 5 = 9 plus 2d6 ⇒ (6, 6) = 12

"Aha, the dark powers you meddle with are trying to protect you! " disguised Mordecai states somberly, casting a spell of darkness to descend upon them.

"But it cannot protect you, justice and power of light shall prevail!"

Bluff : 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
The show Mordecai is putting on is not particularly impressive. However, the magistrate needs not to be fooled, just removed. The cover of darkness ought to give Gertart plenty of chances for murderous deeds.

Tacitus is a red haired man, with gold spectacles, and a blue robes trimmed with flames.

Gertrart's blade strikes true, and deals Tacitus a very impressive blow.

Mordecai drops the house lights.

Someone else can dive in on the surprise round if they came along.

Otherwise, Gertrart, you are up again, and with the darkness, you get sneak attack damage.

Taeral also disguised as one of the guards when they enter the room, casts silence on the door to Tacitus' room and closes the door, leaving the hallway/stairwell in quiet so that the Knot may do what is needed in privacy.

Hope that makes sense what Taeral is doing.

R1

Gertrart says "Nothing personal. You are in the way." or he tries to but it might be too quiet.
falchion: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17 schlickt: 2d4 + 5 ⇒ (2, 4) + 5 = 11 plus splort: 2d6 ⇒ (1, 4) = 5

@Taeral - Understand perfectly the intent with silence in the hallway.

Let me roll up some initiative for Taeral...

Taeral: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16

Taeral also goes before Tacitus then.

Gertrart again strikes true with his blades and cuts Tacitus deeply.

Round 1

With the door set, Taeral attempts to move around the wizard to help provide Gertrart a future flank. He draws his rapier as he moves and thrusts it at the doomed arcanist.

Rapier: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25
Damage, Rapier: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

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On Going Effects: Iron Circlet, Human Guardsman; A Human wearing the uniform of one of the Watchtower guards;

Taeral strikes true and cuts Tacitus.

With the lights out, and he receiving incredible amounts of damage in a very short period of time, Tacitus drops to his knees and surrenders, "I know not who you are, or what your intent, but pray, do not kill me! Surely I can be of assistance to you."

Mordecai would be up now, and then top of the round with Gertrart and Taeral again.

Ok, so Xeram has been working his way through the priesthood, and attempting to turn everyone against Donnagin.

I may have missed it, is there a plan to actually take out Father Donnagin?

Hmmm, and to place things on the map.

Tacitus' private quarters is #41, and his laboratory is #40.

"Quickly Tacitus, tell me what dark secrets you have brought into the good city of Balentyne. I fear a mage of such little power is meddling with something much greater than he and I will have to bind both back to the darkness!" with that Gertrart snakes a rope around the man's arms with mage hand and makes a show of rustling with the desk while he does.
"Speak slowly, if any magic passes those lips, believe me, it will be mine. And it will be unpleasant."

what does the room look like, particularly the place he was working? Nice call on the darkness and the silence :) I must learn those tricks!

The room you are in, where you assaulted him is his private quarters (room 41). This room is 10' wide and 20' long, with a bed at the far end. It is a very clean and orderly room.

Tacitus himself is carrying a number of scrolls, a wand, a dagger, a cloak, and of course his spell components.

"Dark secrets? Why, I would never, I am a devout servant of Mitra. the only thing I have been working on lately has been the ice golem. It was brought to me in a state of incredible disrepair, but I have been able to piece it back together and make it follow my instructions. I swear, it is just a golem, nothing sinister or evil." Tacitus is shaking, and crying a little.

With fake concern for Tacitus, Taeral asks, "A golem, Sir? This is Knot something that needs to be in the Watchtower is it? I have only heard stories of the destruction a golem can do and how they follow the commands of thier forsaken masters."

Taeral is just going to follow you lead, Gartrart.

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On Going Effects: Iron Circlet, Human Guardsman; A Human wearing the uniform of one of the Watchtower guards;

Mordecai holds his attacks, curious on this new turn of events. "Quickly Tacitus, tell us how to control this golem, and you might yet be proven innocent."

Diplomacy : 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (5) + 9 = 14

********* it! My earlier post from a few days ago got eaten by the forums and I didn't even notice... Grrrr.

Vosil has of course wormed his way into the tower, keen to see what the wizard has that might be of use.

Bluff to come up with convincing story: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20

As combat starts, he holds back, ready to summon something if needed, but otherwise he looks around to see what is there.

At the talk of a potentially useful golem, he follows the wizard.

"Can it be controlled? What do you plan to have it do? Remember, any sign of treachery and the Inquisition will repay you ten-fold..."

if you want Malleck there. Ill be there. What would he be doing? His role in this? Sorry. This week came down like a ton of bricks...

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"Nothing sinister? Nothing evil?" Gertrart scoffs. "I think Bishop Donagan was correct. Taciturn has already been corrupted." He pauses only briefly and makes something else clatter in the darkness, then uses the distraction to remove the man's spell components. "Or at least deluded. Answer the inquisitor's questions mage. Your answers will determine if you are merely deluded or truly corrupted. Deluded means you are a fool. Corrupted means you are a dead fool."

sleight of hand: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6

I say jump in Malleck if you want. At this point it will most likely just be an extra presence, but who knows what we missed or have to do to leave this place.

To GM's question on Donnigan, we don't have a plan of execution yet, but we'll be working on it. Perhaps when, after he is abandoned by his aides, he is alone we can strike. Or try to get him so depressed, that he'd be susceptible to suggestions of suicide.

"Best answer the questions. Would hate to resort to violence" he adds with a not so friendly smile

Intimidate: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (10) + 17 = 27

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Xeram had chosen the juiciest and most discrediting rumors, plausible ones he'd fabricate upon recent facts and events, and spread them carefully among Donnigan's aides and followers. With it, he aimed to decrease trust in the priest and to sow discord among the masses. Starting infighting had been a favorite passing of time back home.

False rumors: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (18) + 10 = 28

Hahahaha >:)

Tacitus blubbers out his response, "I am a loyal servant of Mitra, praise her. The golem was brought to me in a terrible state of repair. I have only managed to control it, I do not have the skills to make another. It took me many days of research and work with it to get it repaired and follow even the most basic of instructions." He takes a deep breath, "My sole purpose with it was to create it as one more in a series of obstacles to help defend Balentyne should the time come. I swear, I am a loyal Mitran and to the crown!"

He seems very insistent on this, and you get the impression that he is what he says he is. Silly peasants always assume the worst about wizards of his ilk, particularly when they are working behind closed doors.

Servant of Mitra?" Gertrat nearly growls at the suggestion. "Only darkness allows you to control a soulless creature like this." Gertrart asks Mitra to guidance. After a moment he then asks,"Perhaps we can sort this out. Inquisitors, prepare your spell of detection. Show us how you can do this. Mitra will show us the light of your path. Or more likely the darkness will seal your doom."

Hopefully an intimidating chant begins?

Tacitus asks, "you want me to show you how the golem functions?"

You're grasp of the situation couldn't be stronger. While we protect the area from darkness we will divine your culpability with the dangerous powers you are meddling. Yes. Show us how you control the creature."

Tacitus responds, "I should be happy to do so, but unlike yourselves apparently, I am unable to see in the darkness. The golem is in the next room over, my lab. Can we go in there, and have light?"

Mage hand will only go so far to bind his hands, but unless he says he needs them for this I will finish the job. "You don't need these or this," Gertrart says confiscating the component bag and wand. "I will leave them here on your desk."

As they follow Tacitus into the other room, Taeral will gather up the component bag and wand, and tuck them away.

Just let him think he knows were is gear is at... not like he will need them much longer anyway, Taeral thinks to himself.

stealth: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11 + bonus for darkness

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On Going Effects: Iron Circlet, Human Guardsman; A Human wearing the uniform of one of the Watchtower guards;

Escorted by your group, Tacitus moves into his lab.

This is the workshop of the watchtower’s magister. This poorly lit and crowded chamber is full of tables laden with strange equipment and apparatuses. There is a large form seemingly made of ice (though it is not melting) resting on a slab. This is Tacticus’ ice golem. As you look around, you spy various alchemical items, and a cauldron among the gizmos and glassware.

Tacitus directs the golem to "stand up." The icy creature climbs off of the table menacingly. "Walk over to that corner." And it does. "Smash the chair." And the chair is smashed.

Tacitus beams at you, "See! A mindless automaton!"

A glowing Mitran symbol appears on the floor around Taciturn as he begins his demonstration. With every command the color shifts from a gold light to red. "You say mindless. I think you mean soulless. Did you never stop to consider the difference?"

A second symbol appears under Gertrart. "Allow me to try. Creature of darkness, walk to that door.".

Anything special I noticed that might be needed to command it? I will do so. The symbol created by my silent image shall stay a gold color, however. >:) Do you want a roll of anykind? Anyone else?

Tacitus looks at you, "I assure you that I never intended any offense against Mitra. I admit that I never consulted Father Donnagin on the subject of the morality of a golem, nor did we discuss it."

Naturally, the golem does not obey Gertrart's command.

Tacitus admits, "ummm, sir, the golem obeys only the commands of its master."

tap tap tap, is this thing on?

"How did you become the soulless creature's master, if you did not created? Did you have to perform some dark ritual to force your will upon it?" Taeral ask uneasily as he watches the demostration.

Taeral is only acting the part of an uneasy guard. He is still ready to attack if this goes south.

Bluff: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (7) + 10 = 17

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On Going Effects: Iron Circlet, Human Guardsman; A Human wearing the uniform of one of the Watchtower guards;

"And if not a dark ritual, what did you do? Tell me how you learned to become a master of the soulless or I shall remember that my orders did not allow you any mercy beyond a quick death."

"Good sir, that is an excellent question, and I have pondered it myself many times," explains Tacitus. "As near as I can tell, the golem was extremely damaged when it arrived to me. I was able to repair it, and at some point, it regained mobility and use of its limbs. It must have been at that point, that like a blank slate, it determined it had no master. I forget what it was I said, but suddenly the thing started moving to carry out whatever it had thought had been my orders. After that, it was clear that it was under my control."

Neat as it is to see the coot getting tricked here, i wonder if Xeram's poisonous lies have taken hold.

If any of the faithful come asking Brother Statham for advise, he responses with general comment and assuring words. Things so general, merely filling in a name would do the job.

@Xeram - I am absolutely following your train of thought on Father Donnagin, and the priesthood overall, so don't think I'm missing your posts. Keep it coming.

@Others - What's next with the ever faithful Tacitus?

Xeram furthers his manipulation by using the circlet for other disguises.
Wrapping a cloth around his face, revealing only his eyes, he fakes a raspy sad voice. With the circlet's disguise adding worn rags, Xeram now goes under the pretence of 'old man Joseph', who's a burnt stranded wanderer.

When not in mass, he takes this disguise and is trying to discredit Donnigan by spreading a rumor that Donnigan had rejected a blessing
and threatened to torch him after protesting. This of course, when people are talking about Donnigan, so it won't appear as deliberate discredition.
Bluff: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (8) + 11 = 19

Foolish peasants, hahaha.

I think we cross posted. Is your post in response to Gertrart's question? If so I will move on.

"And if not a dark ritual, what did you do? Tell me how you learned to become a master of the soulless or I shall remember that my orders did not allow you any mercy beyond a quick death."

It would appear we cross posted, but either way, what he described is how he took control of the golem.

so we head to where now?

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"One last thing then..." says the rogue activating the headband to assume a different form. "Golem, kill this man. the half-orc points to the man in blue robes. Or rather 'taciturn' points at the Taciturn in blue robes.

"For meddling in powers beyond your ken and bringing soulless into the world... . He also adds his falchion to the sage in the most effective way he knows how.
splortch: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8,2d4 ⇒ (1, 4) = 5 plus sneak attack: 2d6 ⇒ (1, 5) = 6

Have at him all, unless the golem actually does it for us.

An elegant solution, I like it!

The golem obediently steps over and smashes the unsuspecting wizard. Once the task is complete, it stands up silently awaiting further orders.

Nice going.

"Excellent work. We can leave the corpse to be found here next to the golem. Anyone investigating should be able to wrongly guess what happened."

Alright then, so where to next?

Xeram, in order to solidify his attempts, plants false evidence.
Sleight of hand/Stealth?: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 = 21

If needed, he'd cast ghost sound to mimic the voice of Donnigan for acts of 'improper conduct' or as a distraction.

If ever i love the dice generator for untrained rolls, it's now ^^.

"Let's search these rooms. Look for scroll, wands, & potions we can take with us but we can't take them all. Anyone investigating will realize the golem didn't take them. I also want to find his research on the creature, his spellbooks, and anything on his order." Gertrart touches the flame lined robes with a toe.

I have three ideas on what to do about the body and golem,but will have to post later. Anyone have ideas?

Ok, so you search the Mage's quarters and his lab.

Of note, you find:

His Spellbook - "The Heart of All Flame"
A large cauldron
A tincture of concentrated wolfsbane - worth 500gp, and a very concentrated poison
120gp

Tacitus was carrying:
dagger
cloak
500gp of diamond dust
1 scrolls
1 potion
His wand was his arcane focus, and is now just a MW wand
spell component pouch
key to his room and lab

Ok, I have recorded that Tacitus died on day 9.

I also have that the Rangers should be camping on day 10.